PHOTO: Jack Murray
PENTICTON, BC. – The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation has named 34 players to compete for a spot on the Under-20 Swiss National Team, who will play at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, that includes Penticton Vees forward Stefano Bottini (’02).
Bottini, 18, played in 10 games throughout the Okanagan Cup where he registered a goal and four assists for five points in the tournament. The 6’1”, 180-pound forward is no stranger to wearing the Swiss National jersey, getting into 14 International games last season at the Under-18 level, including four games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The Lugano, Switzerland native spent last season with the Under-20 Lugano team, scoring 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points in 43 games played. The camp is set to begin on Sunday, December 6th with the first week of preparations taking place in Zug, Switzerland. The team will trim its roster on Saturday, December 12th with the team embarking on Edmonton to start their four-day quarantine before competing in the “bubble” at Rogers Place before final cuts are made on Wednesday, December 23rd.
The Swiss National Team opens their World Junior Hockey Championship tournament on Christmas Day against Slovakia. Switzerland will also play in two pre-tournament games on Sunday, December 20th against the United States and Tuesday, December 22nd against Sweden.
Bottini is one of two BC Hockey Leaguers to participate in the camp as Chilliwack Chiefs forward Raymond Fust will also be vying for a spot on the team. For the full roster, click here.
